Unforgettable Flavors and Connections: A Recap of the Mixed Conference Experience
The recent Mixed Conference was an absolute blast, a whirlwind of culinary delights, insightful sessions, and invaluable networking that left me inspired and energized! While I shared a glimpse of the excitement on Instagram and Facebook over the weekend, there’s so much more to unpack. Join me for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the people, places, and, of course, all the incredible food we got to experience!
A Sweet Partnership: My Mixed Conference Journey with HEB
I was incredibly fortunate and deeply grateful to have my trip to the Mixed Conference sponsored by HEB this year. For those not familiar, HEB is our beloved regional grocery store chain here in South Texas, renowned for its quality products and community involvement. As a passionate food blogger, this sponsorship felt like a match made in heaven – a dream scenario, perhaps even one covered in rich chocolate ganache and topped with a glistening cherry! Combining my love for HEB with my dedication to food blogging created an experience that was not only professionally enriching but also personally delightful. It truly underscored the powerful connections that can form between local businesses and content creators, fostering a vibrant food community.
Arriving and Reconnecting with the Blogging Community
My journey to the conference began on Friday afternoon as I drove up from Corpus Christi, eager for the weekend ahead. Upon arrival, I was thrilled to reconnect with some of my dearest blogger friends. It’s always a special feeling to meet up with fellow creators who truly understand the unique world of food blogging. Among them were Rachel from A Southern Fairytale, whose creativity consistently inspires, and Kirsten (Kiki) from Kirsten Oliphant, a brilliant mind in the blogging sphere. And then there was me, just soaking in the camaraderie and buzzing with anticipation for the sessions and events to come. These moments of connection are truly the heart of any conference, transforming a professional gathering into a warm reunion of like-minded individuals.
Indulgent Experiences and Creative Workshops
The conference wasted no time in offering unique and enjoyable experiences. One of the sponsors hosted an amazing sugar scrub room, where we had the opportunity to craft our own deliciously scented scrubs. Imagine mixing concoctions that smelled like orange creamsicle or rich chocolate mint – it was a wonderfully sensory experience, both fun and indulgent. These little touches truly elevate a conference from mere learning to an immersive and memorable event. It was a perfect way to relax, unleash some creativity, and even take home a personalized souvenir.
Mastering the Art of Food Video Production
The very first educational session of the conference dove into the dynamic world of food videos. It constantly astounds me how incredibly talented some individuals are when it comes to video blogging. While I’m still celebrating having taken “decent food photos” after four years, there are content creators out there with entire YouTube channels brimming with breathtakingly professional and engaging food videos. It makes me feel like I might be a little behind the curve on that front, but it also served as a powerful motivator to explore this exciting medium further. The session provided invaluable insights into techniques, equipment, and storytelling for video, inspiring many of us to consider expanding our culinary content beyond static images.
A Culinary Journey: Dreamfield Pasta Dinner and Resort Luxury
Dinner on the first night was generously sponsored by Dreamfield pasta, and let me tell you, it was absolutely exquisite! The spread was so vast and tempting that I hardly knew where to begin. True to my nature, I ended up doing things a little “backwards,” diving straight into the pasta before circling back to the delightful antipasto selections. But, as they say, you only live once, so why not enjoy every bite in whatever order you please? The flavors were incredible, offering a perfect start to a weekend of culinary exploration.
After a satisfying dinner, I joined Kelli from eat.pray.read.love and Jess from Jess Unprocessed for a quick Target run, a classic conference tradition for any last-minute essentials or just a bit of retail therapy. We then indulged in a late-night swim in one of the resort’s many pools, despite the water being a bit on the colder side – a refreshing end to a busy day before heading off to bed.
Speaking of the resort, the conference was hosted at the magnificent Woodlands Resort. This hotel is truly out-of-this-world gorgeous, offering a luxurious and expansive setting. When I mention swimming, I’m referring to access to one of their impressive five (or so) pools, complete with a fantastic lazy river and a huge water slide. It was a perfect blend of professional development and resort-style relaxation, making the entire experience feel like a lavish retreat.
Fueling Creativity: HEB Coffee and Chocolate Artistry
One of the absolute best features of the conference was the constant, reliable supply of coffee! HEB graciously provided their delicious Cafeccino’s and their signature Houston blend coffee throughout all the sessions. Let me tell you, I have completely fallen in love with the Houston blend coffee. It is, hands down, utterly delicious. It boasts a distinctive pecan praline taste that is simply heavenly, making every sip a comforting and invigorating experience. It became an essential companion for those early mornings and long, engaging sessions, keeping everyone energized and focused.
Our sessions continued to impress, beginning one day with a captivating demonstration by Chef Eddy from Imperial Sugar. He expertly guided the group through the process of creating intricate and fancy chocolate designs using surprisingly basic tools. Watching him work live was absolutely fascinating, with chocolate seemingly flowing everywhere in the most artistic way. The session was not only entertaining but also incredibly inspiring. I genuinely can’t wait to try out some of his brilliant tricks for crafting cool chocolate designs in my own kitchen and for my blog content.
Indulgence, Swag, and Learning
Seriously, folks, there was an abundance of truly fantastic food at every turn. I even did a Periscope (a new, incredibly cool online live streaming app at the time!) detailing all the wonderful contents of our swag bags. During that broadcast, I jokingly told my audience to bid farewell to my current face because I predicted I wouldn’t look quite the same after a weekend of such indulgence. My guesstimate was a gain of 10-15 pounds from all the delicious snacks, meals, treats, and, of course, the ever-present chocolate!
One particular treat that captured my heart and stomach was the almond cookie brittle. Ever since I opened the first box, I haven’t been able to stop eating it. The flavor is absolutely amazing, and the texture – light and crisp – is simply perfect. I was lucky enough to take home a few boxes, but I foresee a moment of genuine sadness when my supply eventually runs out!
I happily nibbled on these irresistible cookies during the subsequent two sessions, which focused on Pinterest scheduling and the crucial topic of working effectively with brands. (Thankfully, HEB had some of the same brittle out on the snack table, so I didn’t even have to break into my personal stash right away!). These sessions offered practical advice for bloggers looking to streamline their content promotion and forge successful partnerships within the food industry.
Enhancing Visuals: Photography Skills and Creative Props
One of the most valuable sessions for any food blogger was the awesome photo board workshop, where we learned the practical skills of how to craft our own custom wood boards for food photography. These versatile props can dramatically enhance the visual appeal of dishes, providing unique textures and backgrounds. Thanks to the fantastic guidance from Meredith, I already have four new boards in various stages of creation. You can expect to see them making their debut here on the blog very soon, adding a fresh dimension to my food photography!
Our final session was dedicated entirely to professional food photography, a topic I was incredibly excited about. The speakers included an expert who authored the amazing photography book, Plate to Pixel, a book I was fortunate to receive as a Christmas gift. Both Helene and Tami provided such practical, actionable advice on how to significantly improve food photos. They shared simple yet effective tips, like using foam board for bounce light, plastic squeeze bottles for precise plating, and even wobble wedges to subtly elevate dishes for better angles. These insights were truly game-changers for refining my visual storytelling.
This photography session was sponsored by Wisconsin Cheese, so naturally, Kiki texted me with an urgent request: she absolutely NEEDED a picture with the massive cheese wheel positioned at the front of the room. And not just any picture – a picture where she pretended the enormous cheese was her “cheese baby.” Of course, I obliged! What else are food blogging conferences for, if not for these delightfully quirky and memorable moments with friends? It’s these lighthearted interactions that truly build community and make these events so much fun.
Evening Connections and a Grand Finale
After the last official session, we enjoyed a brief break before dinner. I invited everyone over to my room to simply hang out, relax, and chat. It turned out to be a fantastic informal gathering. During our conversations, we discovered that one of the girls, Ashlee, was actually competing on Food Network’s Halloween baking challenge! How incredibly cool is that? While we discussed many other topics, it was particularly refreshing and insightful to just chat about the nuances of food blogging. Everyone approaches it from a slightly different angle, and hearing diverse perspectives on content creation, engagement, and industry trends was genuinely invaluable and inspiring.
The grand finale of the conference was the spectacular HEB closing dinner. HEB has a wonderful initiative called “Primo Picks,” where they curate the best products for specific events or themes. For this particular month, the theme was “Ciao Italy” – and oh, how I loved it! Our entire dinner experience was a delightful Italian journey, from the vibrant caprese salad starters to the exquisite cannolis for dessert, perfectly complemented by refreshing Italian sodas. Every dish was a testament to HEB’s commitment to quality and flavor, making for a truly memorable culinary send-off.
As if the conference couldn’t get any better, the generous Mixed Conference sponsors hosted a massive giveaway after dinner. It seemed like everyone at our table walked away with something fantastic! I was thrilled to win a new knife, someone else received a coveted set of Le Creuset pots, and Kiki, to her absolute delight, won a Kitchenaid mixer! It was the perfect culmination of an incredible weekend, proving that not only were we showered with knowledge and connections, but also with tons of amazing free stuff. The generosity of the sponsors truly left everyone feeling appreciated and excited.
Departing with Inspiration and a Car Full of Treats
The entire experience was simply amazing. We stayed up chatting about all things “bloggy” until way too late, fueled by the excitement and insights of the day. (Psst… that’s the awesome swag bag HEB gave everyone, packed with goodies!). After another incredible breakfast the next morning, I packed up all my belongings and called for a luggage cart. I’m sure the bellhop thought I was absolutely nuts for loading my car with so many swag bags, all bursting with food and new products. (Or perhaps he was just a little jealous!). Either way, I headed home with a mind full of fantastic new ideas, renewed motivation, and a car completely full of delicious snacks and invaluable takeaways. Mixed Conference, you were truly, unequivocally fabulous!
And a huge, heartfelt shout-out to my besties at HEB for having me as an ambassador for this incredible event! They graciously provided my conference ticket and accommodations, but please know that all opinions expressed here about their products and the conference experience are entirely my own. Their support made this unforgettable weekend possible, and I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to represent such a fantastic brand while growing my passion for food blogging.